Thursday, October 26, 2006

Who moved my cheese?

This afternoon I was due to give a presentation to the Jersey branch of the British Institute of Innkeepers who, faced with the prospect of smoking being banned from their pubs in the near future one would have thought might just be interested in some innovative ideas about how to use their Espresso coffee machine to maximum effect.

Sadly despite plenty of notification from Simon the branch chairman, not one person from the 100 plus pubs across Jersey showed up. How, I ask myself will they survive in the future battles for their customers spend which will also include a Goods and Services Tax? With the amount and quality of competition increasing I fear they will be asking the question "Who moved my cheese?" as per the famous book.

So if there are any of you out there who just might be interested in the things I had to say, here is a resume.

Presentation to the Institute of Innkeepers


MAXIMIZING PROFIT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE EFFECTIVE USE OF YOUR ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE

Why do you need to consider other sources of revenue?

Changes in Government legislation – smoking laws
Drinking and driving
Changing attitudes towards binge drinking
Health impact

Who are your customers and what are their expectations?

Retired and traditional drinkers
Younger generation of pub goers
Greater female participation

The younger generation will expect –

Cleaner environment
Healthier drink options
Good quality and good choice of beverages
Ethical issues


WHO ARE YOUR COMPETITORS?

Other pubs and specialist bars, e.g. cocktail bars
Coffee shops
Informal restaurants

What difference then can a properly used espresso machine make to your business?

1. Drink range

COFFEES –

A full range of Espresso based drinks – this means Americanos, Cappuccinos, Lattes etc.

A full range of the above in a decaffeinated version –

A full range of Liquor Coffees

TEAS –

Traditional English Breakfast tea

Herbal Infusions

Fruit flavoured teas

CHOCOLATE –

Drinking chocolate


HOW TO DELIVER PREMIUM QUALITY AND GREAT PRESENTATION

1. Proper staff training

– Do your staff know what the various drinks should look like?
– Do they care? – We offer tours around our factory
– Which drinks are served with milk, which not

Presentation

- Are you using the right cups, what are the right cups?

Promoting your offering

- Tea / Coffee menu
- Specials of the day
- Drink and food offering

Equipment properly maintained and cleaned – money well spent
That's it in a nutshell. I hope the above is of benefit to any young budding Innkeeper who is keeping his or her eye on the cheese.

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